Nation

Late Sultan laid to rest

KUALA KANGSAR: In keeping with age-old tradition, the body of the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak was carried on a yellow pedati (carriage) shaded by white umbrellas to his final resting place at the Royal Mausoleum next to the Ubudiah Mosque here.

Members of the armed forces and police led the hearse in the procession from Istana Iskandariah to the mosque where prayers were performed.

They were accompanied by court musicians playing nobat nafiri and the state’s Orang-Orang Besar Jajahan (district chieftains).

Walking behind the open carriage was a grim-looking Sultan Nazrin Shah, his consort Tuanku Zara Salim and other members of the Perak royal family.

All along the way, 86 cannon shots were fired to mark each year of Sultan Azlan Shah’s life.

Throughout the lying in state, an endless stream of people came to pay their last respects to the late Ruler.

Among the earliest to pay their last respects were Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who had rushed back to Malaysia from China.

The Prime Minister and wife, who arrived at 8.45am, were led to the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) by Raja Dr Nazrin Shah where Sultan Azlan Shah’s remains were placed on a three-tier catafalque that was draped in yellow and the state flag.

Four uniformed men representing the army, navy, air force and police stood guard.

Sultan Azlan Shah died at 1.30pm on Wednesday at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.

Sultan Sharafuddin was the first of the Malay Rulers to offer his condolences, and Raja Dr Nazrin Shah shed tears when the Selangor Ruler hugged him.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah were among the heads of state to pay their final respects.